Shubha Mudgal kept true to the Saraswati Puja dress code with a vibrant yellow sari at a concert hosted by Prabha Khaitan Foundation, a non-profit trust dedicated to socio-cultural welfare and humanitarian causes, at Jai Hind Bhavan in Kalighat on February 14. The Hindustani classical singer, who has been honoured with a Padma Shri, began with a Saraswati Vandana, followed by some special folk songs from her birthplace in Uttar Pradesh. She flawlessly hit the highest and lowest notes, keeping the audience spellbound
Photographs by Soumyajit Dey and Prabha Khaitan FoundationAttendees from Prabha Khaitan Foundation and Ehsaas Women were present for the show which made their Saraswati Puja extra-special
Ehsaas Women of Kolkata, represented by Malika Varma and Gouri Basu, were also in attendance. Malika Varma commenced the proceedings with a welcome address on behalf of the organisation. A minute's silence was observed at the beginning of the ceremony in memory of classical music maestro Rashid Khan and writer Usha Kiran KhanKhan by observing a minute's silence at the beginning of the ceremony. “Just absolutely mesmerising, I am blessed to be here. I thank Shubha Mudgalji for the beautiful programme,” said Malika
Shubha Mudgal was accompanied by Aneesh Pradhan on the tabla and Sudhir Nayak on the harmonium
The stage was set up with cut-outs of different Indian classical instruments and was also highlighted with lit borders
Shubha’s performance over, singer Payal Kar took the stage and performed Nazrulgeeti bhajan
To cheer her on, Kar’s daughter danced around in front of the stage
‘Shubhaji and I go a long way because we have done so many programmes with her in different cities and it is our foundation’s policy to share rich cultures. We try to first have our puja and then invite a performer for a musical evening. Last year, we had Rashid Khan but to have Shubhaji… she’s such a gem of a person,” said Anindita Chatterjee, executive trustee, Prabha Khaitan Foundation
Poet and writer Subodh Sarkar paid respect to Shubha Mudgal during her performance
After the show, the foundation’s in-house artist, Sudipta Kundu, presented Shubha with a portrait he drew of her